What is blue light and how can it be harmful to your eyes? Sunlight contains colors that are on the visible light spectrum. These colors include red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet (you may remember learning ROYGBV in school). You are exposed to this spectrum of colors throughout your daily life.

Electronic Devices

Blue light may also come from man-made products such as fluorescent and LED screens. Smart phones, computers, and other electronic devices all emit harmful blue light, but it is only a fraction of what is emitted from the sun. However, the amount of time humans spend on their electronic devices has many eye care professionals worried about the harm that blue light can cause their eyes.

Additionally, blue light has a very short wavelength, and therefore produces a higher amount of energy. High-energy blue light travels a lot more easily than other visible light because it is not as focused. This decreases visual contrast and eventually leads to the straining of your eyes. This is why it’s always best to look away from your screen every few minutes in order to give your eyes a break.

The Sun

When it comes to harmful UV rays from the sun, the human eye is actually very effective at blocking these rays from reaching the retina, even without sunglasses. Nevertheless, sunglasses are essential in protecting your eyes from these UV rays from reaching other parts of the eye that may cause damage and lead to serious diseases such as cataracts. Therefore, those who spend an extensive amount of time on electronic devices are not protecting themselves. Unlike UV rays from the sun, people are more unaware about the effects of blue light.

Increasing Your Risk

Exposure to blue light increases your risk of macular degeneration due to the damage of the light-sensitive cells. Macular Degeneration is the degeneration of the macula, which is the part of your retina responsible for the sharp, central vision needed to read or drive. It is the leading cause of vision loss and affects more than 10 million Americans. This is more than cataracts and glaucoma combined.

Sleep Disturbance

The blue spectrum hits the cells in your eyes that send a signal to the brain to release melatonin. Because of this, melatonin production is turned off. Melatonin is a hormone your body produces which is key for falling asleep. Your Melatonin levels begin to rise a few hours before bedtime; therefore, the blue light from your phone or laptop can disrupt your circadian rhythm and keep you awake as well as cause sleep pattern disturbance.

How Do I Stay Safe?

There a few good practices to help protect your eyes from blue light. We cannot avoid blue light at all cost, but we can definitely help reduce the amount of blue light that we expose ourselves to on a daily basis. But lucky for us, there is a new technology that will be very helpful, especially to those who spend a lot of time in front of a screen. Scientists have discovered a way to protect our eyes from blue light with an anti-glare lens coating using state-of-the-art nano technology that blocks these harmful blue waves.

Blue495™

Introducing Blue495™, available only at 39DollarGlasses.com. This lens coating protects your eyes from blue light, reduces glare and gives your lenses a more polished look. These blue blocking lenses have a blue hue and amber tint that shines across the lenses when light is reflected on it, as pictured below.

The coating will help reduce eyestrain and headaches, as well as help you sleep better at night. You will reduce the risk of being affected by eye-related diseases and allowing blue light to damage your retina. It’s perfect for long days spent at the office or leisure activities such as browsing through your phone before bed. After using Blue495™, you will notice a distinct difference in the comfort of your eyes and will wonder how you ever wore glasses without it.

Blue495™, the latest in nano technology, as always, at an affordable price. Be sure to check out all our affordable, quality glasses at 39DollarGlasses.com – The Clear Way to Buy Glasses and Contacts. ™

What is anti-reflective (AR) coating and how will it benefit you? Anti-reflective coating cuts down on the frustrating glare on your lenses. AR coating works by increasing the light transmission through the lenses, providing you with the clearest, sharpest vision at all times.

Another benefit of anti-reflective coating is its ability to reduce glare from light in photographs. You will no longer have to take your eyeglasses on and off for pictures. Leave them on and see how different your eyes look—you will actually be able to see them without having an annoying glare covering the lenses! Once you wear a pair of glasses with AR coating, you will immediately notice the difference in the comfort and vision of your lenses. It will be tough to ever order another pair without it!

Anti-reflective coating is also amazing for computer use and night driving by eliminating the additional glare from computer screens and low light conditions. Nevertheless, AR coating will not fully block out blue light emitted from computer screens, tablets and mobile phones. However, we also offer our Blue Light Blocking Premium Anti-Reflective Coating. This coating blocks High-Energy Visible (HEV) blue light emitted by digital devices and artificial light, which are known to have some harmful effects to the eyes and often disrupt natural sleep cycles. This Blue Blocking Coating will also help reduce eyestrain from staring at a computer or phone screen for an extensive period of time.

Overall, AR coating is something that will enhance your vision and improve the overall quality of your glasses. You will find little moments like driving home from work, shopping online, and taking family pictures a lot more enjoyable. When shopping for your next pair of glasses, be sure to look into the benefits of coatings on your lenses. The frame will give you style, but your lenses are the key to seeing clear and feeling comfortable. Find quality prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses with these anti-reflective coatings all at an affordable price at 39DollarGlasses.com. The clear way to buy glasses and contacts. ™

What are the differences between Polycarbonate lenses and CR-39 lenses? A lot of people focus most of their attention on which frame they want, and we can’t blame them. However, lenses are a very important part to your glasses that shouldn’t be overlooked. Sure, frames are much bigger and more stylish than a simple pair of lenses. But what if we were to tell you some lenses aren’t as simple as they seem?

What’s The Deal with Polycarbonate?

Polycarbonates are a group of thermoplastic polymers, which contain carbonate groups within their chemical structure. Used for a variety of manufactured parts, they can easily be worked and molded to help fit into different materials. We were introduced to polycarbonate lenses in the 1970s they and have changed the optical world for the better. Far thinner and more resistant than CR-39 or any other plastic or glass lenses, polycarbonates are known for their lightweight and protective features.

Polycarbonate lenses are especially unique because they are used for more than lenses. Polycarbonates are also used in the manufacturing of electronic components such as DVD’s, CD’s and cell phone parts. What’s even more intriguing is how they’re used in space and aviation. That’s right, polycarbonates are used for automotive and aircraft components as well. They are used on the Lockheed Martin F-22 canopy and even used as helmet visors for astronauts, and for bullet resistant glass and space shuttle windows. Furthermore, due to being extra thin, they are perfect for thicker prescriptions. When it comes to safety, these shatter-resistant lenses are the safest it gets for kids’ glasses.

What About CR-39 lenses?

CR-39 lenses revolutionized the optical industry when they were first introduced in the 1940s. These lenses are half as heavy as glass, but far less likely to shatter. Just like polycarbonate lenses, they too are made of polymers, which help the lenses stay sturdy. Unlike polycarbonate lenses, CR-39 lenses may be thicker depending on the prescription; therefore, stronger prescriptions may be harder to make. Yet, CR-39 lenses are a lot better at taking in light, which is key to maintaining good eye health.

Which Ones Are Better?

It all depends on what’s best for you. Everyone has different prescriptions and preferences. Here at 39DollarGlasses.com, we carry both polycarbonate and CR-39 lenses. It’s always great to have options, especially when it comes to the most important part of your glasses. Your lenses are the key to your eye health, vision and overall comfort while wearing your glasses. Additionally, all lens packages we carry offer additional AR coating as another option to keep your eyes a bit more healthy and glare-free. For safety reasons, we only carry polycarbonate lenses for children. Be sure to check out all the great lens packages and amazing offers going on right now during our Spring Sale!

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